Little Bear Ridge Road Ruined By Rudin
Disgraced producer Scott Rudin returns to Broadway for the first time since 2021 after allegations surfaced against him for abusing his staff.
Samuel D. Hunter’s Little Bear Ridge Road, starring Laurie Metcalf as Sarah and Micah Stock as Ethan, explores a world in which grief and galaxies bridge a generational gap. After the death of Ethan’s father, Sarah and Ethan navigate familial obligation, loneliness, and utility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stock plays a whiny, one-dimensional Ethan who is unemployed, lost, and agitated throughout the show. As the character copes with childhood memories and his father’s death, TV is used as a conduit for connection between Ethan and his aunt Sarah.
Metcalf’s Sarah is full of moxie and indifference as she unearths the truth behind Ethan’s prolonged stay in her guest bedroom. Although static at times, Metcalf delivers a masterclass in balancing crotchety, caring, and comedic elements through her performance.
When Ethan discovers Sarah’s cancer diagnosis, he throws himself into caring for her as a form of self-destruction and distraction. He uses her as an excuse to put his life on hold. As the climax of the show builds, Stock’s performance plateaus halfway through. The play begs the question: Do we ever escape our childhoods?
At the end of the show, Ethan embraces his childhood and his family in order to grow from his past. With a hauntingly beautiful end to the show, the bickering and satire all lead to a stunning portrayal of biological family in our lives.
The largest downside — besides some stale scenes — is the creative team attached to the show. While Little Bear Ridge Road is well performed, Producer Scott Rudin casts a dark shadow over this wonderful production, and many people will not financially support someone who abuses their staff. Personally, I only saw the show because I did not pay for the tickets. Any and all accomplishments of this production are canceled out by Rudin’s name attached to it. Rudin’s return to Broadway speaks volumes: it doesn’t matter if you’re abusive as long as you’re rich.
